Monday, December 7, 2009

I saw this expression somewhere and i quote "Those who think they know everything are annoying to those of us who do. It's funny, but if you place the period after the word "annoying," it's also true. But know-it-all managers aren't just annoying. They're also bad managers, bad for the organization, and bad for business." Since I don't know everything, i am prepared to read as much as i can, research on it and learn form those who do. I believe that will help me become a better manager and therefore a dependable business person.

I sent out a thank you note to all my customers today and i did that telling myself that i must not look like where i am, but rather like where i am going to. My business is still young, somehow shaky but i know all too well that that is the same way athletes like Usain Bolt started- crawling, sttagering, standing , walking, running and then running well.
ATB&B may be young but it is not going to be like that for long.

I am also starting aa book review/online book club in 2010 - so watch this space all lovers of books and you will be glad you did.
THINK, LOOK AND ACT LIKE WHERE YOU ARE GOING!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sometimes life can be soooo hard and you wish you weren't where you are or doing what you are doing? There are times you look around you and the solutions you seek are just not forthcoming. I had often been told that the closest time to the dawn is the darkest and that when all chips are down, look up. How then do you look up when your tears have blinded you to seeing clearly?

How do you stay motivated and encouraged when all hell is breaking loose around you? or how do you encourage others who look up to you? How do you pray when it seems the clouds are gathering around you and you are swamped on all sides? How do you escape when screaming "GOD" on top of your voice and "JESUS" with all your strength seems futile.

I feel helpless sometimes and at this time, i am on auto-drive. I don't wanna sound ungrateful, but i really need a break - There are breaks, i know, those dear moments when God surprises me with a favour i stopped asking for but still needed, and when a kindhearted friend and brother gave my sweetheart a wheel when ours is misbehaving - but beyond this, how do you feel motivated when the deepest desires of your heart seems unreachable and unattainable.

Just stay motivated and encouraged, against all odds, things will work out fine. It always does. Abi? There is sunshine after the rain, and light at the end of the tunnel. All test will become a testimony, and there is a message in the mess. Ok oh!

By the way, the picture is that of my church's altar, cool, hun?

POST SCRIPT - Do you know that when we are busy looking down, God is busy making things right? Good that He is first a Father, then a judge!!! All's well that ends well. as-the-light-comes-shinning-through-my-life-again, i know that God is watching out for me. It's just a matter of time, yeah!

Monday, October 26, 2009

This is a short post to congratulate my dear friends Tosin and Bukola who both gave birth to bouncing baby boys on Friday and Saturday 23rd and 24th respectively. May their joys know no end and may those bundle of joys be all the parents wish. Congrats to the Olusolas and the Fagbolas.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

How quiet and at peace a person is can only be determined by the quality of the chatters that go on in our minds. These conversations, that begins once you wake up in the morning, till you lay down again at night and for some continues in their subconscious while they try to sleep could range form self flagellations to prideful comments, from love thoughts to hate words.

A pious, holy looking person could have lustful thoughts in His mind, while a friend smiling at you acros the table or at work could have thoughts that are better shown in an horror film about you in her mind.

We sometimes hide our thue feelings by expressing the very opposite of what we feel. Our mental chatters is also revealed by a sigh, the unecessary outburst, and sometimes a gentle smile that say a plesant thought just passed through our mind. King Sunny Ade sang about the conscience being that onewho is the silent observer of all we do - Remenber that song? Do you know that some people who speak impeccably in English language often commune in their mind in that same language?

What you dwell upon in your heart will affect all you do. We need to ask, what or who are we in the recesses of our mind? What if there is a screen where our thoughts are screened? Will you be proud of the production? The Holy book says as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. We are but a reflection of our thoughts and sooner or later, those thoughts will become actions. Shall we pray?

I once did a soul search and asked myself if i can live without my friends. The answer was resounding NO! Friends come and go but even when we are disappointed or we disappoint others, we will still gravitate towards the next person and strike another alliance - hoping it will be better than the last. No matter how reclusive we may want to seem, we can't function fully as humans without the love and affections of our friends.

I have heard people say things like, "I don't have any friends" or "my siblings are my only friends", or "I don't want to have any friends". Married women are even advised not to have friends and make their spouse the only friend they have - no wonder most women nowadays are not making the impact our mothers made then. I remember growing up seeing my mum host several women's association - either from the Anglican Church we attended then or from her office or other groups. These women come together and in the midst of the normal bickering- they stand by one another, help out when it is needed and rally round each other for the sake of the friendship they share through the clubs or association. I remember also that they started a mentoring strategy where a young, or newly married woman is attached to an older woman who acts as her guide and prayer partner. Such women, who are now older still remembers my mum and keeps in touch - years and several re locations later.

The men also had theirs - even though it is more of an excuse to eat bush meat and drink palm wine than to bond - yet it brought out a lot of results for the children as you are able to leverage on your dad's association with a certain permanent Secretary or DG to get an IT placement, job or get out of trouble.

So how come we don't have these groups of 20's, 10's and even 5's anymore? Sometimes we even struggle to keep in touch with the few church members we say hi to after the services and we don't call to say hi to our colleagues at work once the weekend start? When i recall that there was no GSM or social networking sites then, i wondered how our parents made the contacts necessary to keep their friends close.

We have facebook, skype, twitter, e-mails, GSM - yet it has drawn us apart rather than keep us together! There is need to feel that closeness with the other person that is intimate but not sexual, that is revealing but not indecent.

I love my friends and sometimes i overdo it - making their husbands and boyfriends jealous and uncomfortable - but i can't help it because i only thrive and be my best when i am surrounded with them. My husband has learn to accept that these people - young, older, mates - women and a few guys - will always be part of our home. That is why it is possible for me to accommodate a male friend in my home for almost a year without much ado and give a key to my home to another female friend.

Who are your friends? Are they the people who looks and dress like you do or do you go out of your way to be a shoulder to someone who is different? Are you reliable? Can i trust you with the deepest secrets of my heart? Can i rely on you to bail me out of a bad situation? You don't have to be perfect to be a good friend, i am not - sometimes my big mouth comes between my good intentions and deliveries and i hurt my friends and myself in the process - but then, there is forgiveness which we have all received and should give back in volumes.

Where are your friends? Look out for those who mean something to you today and don't hesitate to be a friend to another.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

As much as i like my make up i know that it is not what i put on that determines who i am. it takes more than my face, my dress and my accessories to make me. I am a product of a well-thought out plan and i have invested so much more into myself ot be what I am.

It is important for every woman to know her worth and not be swayed by mere talks! It still baffles me how a girl can give herself cheaply to a man just because he says she is beautiful! it will take more than mere words to get a woman who knows her worht and she has all it takes to determine who she is with and who she gives her heart to.

I stumbled upon the following collection of quotable quotes on beauty and will like to share them on my page. Some of these quotes may sound crazy, but it sure will appeal to some more than the other.Enjoy!

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” -Sophia Loren

“Every photo shoot, I'm always asking the makeup artist what they're using on me, and I'll go out and get it.” -Denise Richards

“It's all or nothing with my makeup. If I get dressed up, I'll go to an extreme. I'll wear foundation, bright blue or bright red lipstick with one of my weird purple wigs.” -Angelina Jolie

“I want to be a guy, but I want to wear a lot of makeup.” -Gwen Stefani

“When I went on the stage to do a show, I would put on makeup because I felt that it enhanced my act; it drew attention to what I was doing.” -Little Richard

“Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.” –Coco Chanel

“I love the confidence that makeup gives me.” -Tyra Banks

“I don't believe makeup and the right hairstyle alone can make a woman beautiful. The most radiant woman in the room is the one full of life and experience.” -Sharon Stone

“I like to work in costumes, makeup, and hair that allow me tremendous freedom.” -Jessica Lange

“That's why I began doing makeup in the first place: I was hoping that through helping people see the beauty in themselves, I could try and find it in me.” -Kevyn Aucoin

“The makeup is simply an extension of the personality and colors, clothing, makeup all express something.” -Gene Simmons

“I started doing makeup to make a living. Then I said, You're not supposed to be putting powder on other people. You're supposed to be powdering yourself.” -Debi Mazar

“I don't like to have too many makeup artists around, so I always like to do my own.” -Diana Ross

“The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!” -Coco Chanel

“If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in the library?” -Lily Tomlin

Welcome to Favourite Things, the page where i beam the light on the things i love - God, Family, Books and Makeup! I am sure there is more but i am presently kinda obsessed by these and i will share my thoughts on published and unpublished books, I will share my discoveries about the One who gives me life and purpose, I will talk bout my sweethearts and our love - all the details if i can, and lastly i will gloss and powder the pages with my makeup bliss and blunders - as adistributor and a user!